Gwennie's is something of an Anchorage institution, as it has been a part of the city just about as long as anyone can remember. Dining at Gwennie's can be quite a unique experience and that's part of why it's so popular. The decor, while dated, has everything from a waterfall that flows from the second floor dining room down to the first to a small pond with a bridge over it to stuffed animals. There's also the usual stuffed animals, and lots of interesting historic photographs. And on top of that the walls have an odd assortment of old mining tolls, dogsleds, and other Alaskan items. While somewhat "junky" and dimly lit, Gwennie's has a lot of charm that you just don't find in the big chain restaurants that have started popping up in Anchorage.

As for the food, Gwennie's is probably most famous for its huge breakfasts, which are served all day. Probably the most famous breakfast item is the huge omelets, especially the reindeer sausage omelets. Because my hotel included a complimentary full breakfast buffet, I opted to visit Gwennie's for lunch after a visit to nearby Earthquake Park and the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. The lunch and dinner menus are typical diner type food, with a pretty wide selection of entrees. All of the food is homemade, and portions are huge, especially considering the reasonable prices. I ordered the fish and chips, which came with a cup of soup or a side salad. Because I was there on a Friday, the soup was clam chowder, which came out in a large mug and was full of thick, creamy soup, large chunks of potatoes, and pieces of clam meat. The fish and chips soon followed. Now, I'm a big guy who can eat a lot when I'm really hungry, but this was almost too much. Five large pieces of fish were accompanied by a monster-size portion of French fries. The battered fish tasted like it was probably halibut, although it was not advertised as such on the menu. All of it was quite good, although not absolutely the best fish and chips I've ever had, but certainly far from the worst. Total bill, including gratuity and a soft drink, came to right at $20. While that may seem a little on the high side for a lunch of fried fish and French fries, don't forget that this is Alaska, and that there was almost too much food for me to finish.

Service at Gwennie's was good. The employees tend to be native Alaskans or long-time residents, and the restaurant is as popular with the locals as it is with the tourists, making Gwennie's a good place to go to mingle with some of the locals.

So if you're looking for something truly local in Anchorage, check out Gwennie's. It's definitely the quirky kind of place you'll always remember.

Additional Information:

• Hours: M-Sa, 6:00 AM-10:00 PM; Su, 8:00 AM-9:00 PM.
• Credit cards accepted.